Apparatus for treating slimes.



B E No. 805,229. ST AVAILABLE P PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

E. PARRISH.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLIMES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1Z,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Invent r.

by an :Ql

M Atty No. 805,229. BEST AVALABLE PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

E. PARRISH.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLIMES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 12. 1905. A

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

a; i/ i .7 I i J .f. w J m J; n I

W/ A 5 4 Z EDWARD PARRISH, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SLHVIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed April 12,1905. Serial No. 255,170.

T0 at] whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD PARRISH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newport, in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forTreating Slimes, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof.

My invention relates to apparatus for treating slimes, and moreparticularly to an apparatus of that character wherein the solution isseparated from the insoluble matter of the slimes by a process offiltration.

The main object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein alarge percentage of the solution may be separated from the slimes at asingle operation, thus avoiding material loss of the metalin solutionand of the potassium cyanid through the retention of the solution by thetailings and the time and labor -in reclaiming such solution anddiminishing the tank capacity of a plant.

A further object-is to provide an apparatus which, through its operationbeing practically fcontinuous, will have a large capacity.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the slimes maybe fed to and "distributed upon the filter in a manner to aid in thefiltration of'the mass, and the tailings may be removedwithoutnecessitating the interruption of the operation of the apparatus.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein a partialvacuum may be maintained beneath all parts of the apparatus required infiltering the slimes to aid in the separation of the solution and yetwherein all parts of the entire filter may be successively subjected tonormal atmospheric or greater pressure beneath said filter to aid in theloosening and discharge of the tailings therefrom.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the filterwill be rotated about a fixed center to successively bring all partsthereof into position for charging and discharging and to providecompact and convenient means maintaining the vacuum beneath the filterand drawing off the solution separated from the slimes.

A still further object is to provide a filtertank so divided intocompartments beneath the filter-body as to permit these compartments tobe successively out out from the vacuum-chamber, so as to limit theperiod of interruption of the filtration under a vacuum to only thatrequired to remove or discharge the tailings from each compartmentsucces:

which will act automatically.

A further object is to provide in such an apparatus means whereby thepoint of charging and discharging may be in close proximity to eachother to avoid a limitation of the capacity of the apparatus withoutliability of the slimes when first charged into the filter flowing ontoand mixing with the tailings; and a still further object is to providean apparatus the design, construction, and arrangement of which will besimple, substantial, and durable to permit its installation, operation,and maintenance at small expense.

.The invention consists, primarily, in the combination, in an apparatusof this character, of a horizontal filter-tank, a plurality ofpartitions whereby the lower part of said tank is divided into aplurality of compartments, a filter-body over and forming aslimes.-chamber common to all said compartments, means feeding slimes tosaid body, means whereby said tank may be rotated and means maintainingavacuum in said compartments, and in such other'novel features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts as are hereinafter set forth anddescribed, and. more particularly pointed out in the claims heretoappended.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a filterapparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with thefilter-body and its protecting sheathing broken away. Fig. 3 is acrosssection of the bearing and the hub of the apparatus, showing a sidesectional elevation of the air or pressure and the vacuum chambers. Fig.4 is a similar view showing an end sec- Ioo ional elevation of the saidchambers, and Fig.

5 is a horizontal section of the said bearing I centrally of which is avertical bearing 7), carsome similar material.

ried upon and forming a part of a suitable pedestal or foundation.Mounted upon said bearing by means of a hub, to be more particularlydescribed hereinafter,,is a filter-tan k a, carrying a plurality ofrollers cl, adapted to run on the track a and support the outer edge ofsaid tank 0. On the under side of said tank, near its periphery, is acircular rack e, by means of which said tank is rotated through thepinion e, meshing therewith, and driven from the pulley e and anydesired source of power. While the rack-and-pinion mechanism as above ispreferred, any desired means rotating said tank may be employed.

The tank 0 has an outer wall 0' to confine the slimes within said tankand an inner wall 0 to protect said hub from said slimes, and the lowerpart thereof is divided by the radial partitions f, extending from theinner wall a to the outer wall 0,into a plurality of relativelyair-tight compartments, each of which is entirely independent of theother in so far as the filtration of the slimes is concerned, thisdivision being for the purpose of increasing the capacity of theapparatus and its efiiciency by increasing the period during which thevacuum may be maintained under each charge of slimes through thelimitation of the period of discharge, under normal atmospheric orgreater pressure within each compartment.

. Stretched over these partitions f in a manner to exclude solids fromthe compartments is a filter-body g, preferably of burlap, canvas, or Iprovide a perfo rated metallic sheathing it for said filter-body toprotect the same from the insoluble matter in the slimes, and, further,from the implements or mechanism used in discharging the tailings. Forconvenience of expression the compartments heretofore referred to willbe termed vacuum-compartments and the portion of the tank above the saidfilter-body will be termed the slimes-chamber. It will be observed thatthe said chamber is common to all said compartments.

Secured to the pedestal Z2 is a cylindrical casting 2',- the lowerportion of which is divided into two independent chambers, (designatedby the letters 2" 6 respectively,) one of which is relatively smallerthan the other. The larger of these chambers is in communication with avacuum-pump through the pipe 6, and the other or smaller chamber is incommunication with a compressed-air tank or the open air through thepipe 2'. The larger of these ehambersIshall designate the vacu umchamberand the smaller the pressureehamber. The pedestal b on its upper sur-BEST AVAILABLE COP bushing j and packings j j being provided in additionto the runway registering with that b of the pedestal. This hub carriesan annular flange-seat Z2, adapted to receive and support the inner edgeof the filter-tank c. The packings j j must be reasonably tight, as theyare relied upon to form anair-tight connection between the'hub j and thecasting z' and pedestal b, respectively.

The inner wall 0 of the tank chas a plurality of openings extendingtherethrough below the filter-body g, establishing communication betweeneach vacuum-compartment in said tank and the vacuum and pressure chambers in said hub j successively, said openings being in permanentregister with a plurality of passages m, extending on an incline throughsaid hubj and the bushing j.

The pressure-chamber d has fitted therein a spring-pressed valve-blockit, provided with suitable packing, which block is fitted to the bushingj and normally pressed against the same by a plurality of springs 01/,acting against said valve-block and the rear wall-of the said chamber.The port in said valve is adapted to register successively with each ofthe passages m and is provided to prevent the leakage of theair-pressure into the vacuumchamber. This valve, it will be observed, isoperated by the rotation of the bushing j, its action being entirelyautomatic, there being normally within the chamber 7." the requiredpressure.

Attached to the stationary parts of the apparatus adjacent to theposition assumed by the forward partition fof that compartment when anyone of the vacuum-compartments is in communication with thepressure-chamber is a fixed rod 0, carrying a flexible screen 0, whichrests upon the sheathing it above the next compartment in the directionof rotation of the filter-tank and is extended about the wall 0 as shownin Fig. 2, to prevent the flow of slimes onto the filter-body above thefirstmentioned vacuum-compartment. Immediately forward of said screen afixed supplypipe or launder 12 projects radially over each compartmentas it passes under said screen 0. This supply-pipe or launder chargesall parts of the filter section or body above the vacuum-compartmentlocated directly beneath it simultaneously, thus distributing the slimesequally throughout the said filter-section.

BEST AwataBLE coP Theoperation of the herein-described apparatus issubstantially as follows: A more or less imperfect vacuum is created inthe vacuum-chamber 2' by means of a vacuum-pump (not shown) through thepipe 71, which through the passages m creates a similar vacuum in theseveral vacuum-compartments, except those communicating with thepressure-chamber z", and cut out from both the chambers 1," and i by theclosure i Slimes are then run into the slimes-chamber of the filter-tanka from the supply-pipe or launder 9, being fairly equally distributedthereover by reason of the relative arrangement of said launder to saidtank. The screen 0 confines the slimes to the slimes-chamber above thosecompartments having no pressure or no vacuum thereunder. During thisinitiai charging the filter-tank is slowly rotated, thus distributingthe slimes throughout the entire slimes-chamber of the filter-tank 0.During this rotation the solution filters through the sheathing it andthe filter-body g, each vacuum-compartment aiding in extracting a largepercentage of the solution from the slimes. The solution thus separatedenters said compartments and passes through the several passages on tothe vacuum-chamber 77, from whence it is drawn by the vacuum-pumpthrough the pipe i subsequently being discharged into suit- The columnof solution thus obtained aids materially in creating and maintainingthe vacuum within said vacuum-chambers. As each passage m approaches thevalve n its vacuum-compartment will be cut out from the vacuum-chamber iand will be automatically connected with the pressurechamber 6', thusequalizing the pressure on opposite sides of the section of thefilter-body covering this compartment, or, when compressed air is used,placing greater than atmospheric air thereunder, loosening the tailingsto facilitate their removal. Any desired implements or mechanisms may beemployed in removing these tailings, which when they reach this positionwill contain but approximately twenty-five per cent. of the solutioncontained at the point of charging. A single revolution will ordinarilysuflice to extract or separate a sufiicient quantity or proportion ofthe solution to render it unprofitable tot'urther dilute the tailings,thus avoiding the labor and time and the additional tank capacity whichwould otherwise be required in the subsequent separating, storing, andconcentrating processes. Each section of the filterbody g above therespective compartments as the tailings are discharged therefrom passesunder the screen 0' and is at once recharged from the supply-pipe orlaunder p, the closure 2' serving to out out the compartment beingcharged until the quantity of slimes thereon is sufiicient to preventthe exhaustion of the vacuum within the vacuum-chamber. The screen 0also prevents any part of the fresh charges backing up upon the drytailings and any loss of the solution from this source.

The arrangement of a plurality ofcompartmentshavingacommonslimes-chamberandfilters closing the compartmen ts rotatable abouta common center and provided with severalmeans whereby a vacuum is created and maintained in the saidcompartments throughout 7 paratus, and hence its economy of operation. a

I am aware that the use of a vacuum under a filter-body is old in thearts and do not intend to claim such broadly. I believe, however, thatit is broadly new to providea horizontal rotatable filter-tank having aplurality of partitions whereby the lower part of said tank is dividedinto a plurality of air-tight 9 compartments, a filter-body closing andforming a slimes-cham bor common to all said compartments, and meanscreating and maintaining a vacuum in said compartments, and I intend toclaim such broadly.

\Vhile I have described my invention in connection with an apparatus thedetails and design of which I prefer to employ, still I do not wish tobe understood as limiting the claims to the exact details as shown anddescribed with relation to that particular design, it being apparentthat such details may be varied without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to haveprotected by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of ahorizontal filtertank a plurality of partitions whereby the lower partof said tank is divided into a plurality of compartments, a filter-bodyclosing and forming aslimes-chamber common to, all

said compartments, means whereby said tank may be rotated, and meansmaintaining a vacuum in said compartments.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of ahorizontal filtermay be rotated, means maintaining a vacuum j in saidcompartments during the greater part BEST AVAILABLE COP of eachrevolution, and means cutting off each said compartment successivelyfrom said lastmentioned means and admitting air into said compartment.

3. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of ahorizontal filtertank a plurality of partitions whereby the lower partof said tank is divided into a plurality of compartments, a filter-bodyclosing and forming a slimes-chamber common to, all said compartments,means feeding slimes to said filter-body, means whereby said tank may berotated, and means maintaininga vacuum in said compartments.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination ofahorizontal filtertank, a plurality of radial air-tight partitionsdividing the lower part thereof into a plurality of compartments, afilter-body closing said compartments whereby a slimes-cham ber commonto all said compartments is provided, means feeding slimes to saidchamber, means whereby said tank may be rotated, means maintaining avacuum in said compartments during the greater part of each revolution,and means cutting off each said compartment successively fromlast-mentioned means and admitting air into said compartment.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of ahorizontal filtertank, a plurality of radial air-tight partitionsdividing the lower part thereof into a plurality of compartments, afilter-bodyclosing said compartments whereby a slimes-chamber common toall said compartments is provided, a perforated metallic sheathing forsaid body, means feeding slimes to said chamber, means whereby said tankmay be rotated,means maintaining a vacuum in said compartments duringthe greater part of each revolution, and means cutting off each saidcompartment successively from said last-mentioned means and admittingair into said compartment.

6. In an apparatus of the character de scribed,.the combination of ahorizontal filtertank, a plurality of radial air-tight partitionsdividing the lower part thereof into aplurality of compartments, afilter-body closing said compartments whereby a slimes-chamber common toall said compartments is provided, means whereby said tank may berotated, means maintaining a vacuum in said compartments during thegreater part of each revolution, means cutting off each of saidcompartments successively from said last-mentioned means and admittingair into said compartment, means in advance of said last-mentioned meansfeeding slimes to said chamber, and a screen extending radially of saidtank dividing said chamber between said cut-off means and said feedingmeans.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acentral bearing having a vacuum-chamber and a pressure chamber therein,means whereby said vacuumchamber may be connected with a vacuumpump,means whereby said pressure-chamber may be connected with air underatmospheric pressure, or greater, a horizontal filter-tank mounted onand rotatable about said bearing, a plurality of air-tight partitionsdividing the lower part of said tank into a plurality of compartments, afilter-body closing and forming a slimes-chamber common to, all saidcompartments means whereby said compartments are during each revolutionplaced in communication with said vacuum and said pressure chamber, andmeans rotating said tank.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acentral bearing having a vacuum chamber and a pressurechamber therein,means whereby said vacuumchamber may be connected with a vacuumpump,means whereby said pressure-chamber may be connected with air underatmospheric pressure, or greater, a horizontal filter-tank mounted onand rotatable about said bearing, a plurality of air-tight partitionsdividing the lower part of said tank into a plurality of compartments, afilter-body closing and forming a slimes-chamber common to all saidcompartments means whereby said compartments are during each revolutionplaced in communication with said vacuum and said pressure chamber,means rotating said tank, and means feeding slimes to said filter.

9. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of acentral, bearing having a vacuum-chamber and a pressurechamber therein,means whereby said vacuum chamber may be connected with a vacuumpump,means whereby said pressure-chamber may be connected with air underatmospheric pressure, or greater, a hub mounted on said bearing androtatable about same, a filter-tank carried by said hub, a plurality ofair-tight partitions dividing the lower part of said tank into aplurality of compartments, a filter-body I closing said compartments,said hub having a plurality of passages therethrough, each adapted tocommunicate with said vacuum-cham her, and said pressure-chamber,successively, and said compartments respectively having openings thereinregistering with said passages, and means rotating said tank and saidhub.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acentral bearing having a vacuum-chamber and a pressurechamber therein, avalve-block seated in said pressure-chamber, means whereby saidvacuum-chamber may be connected with a vacuum pump, means whereby saidpressurechamber may be connected with air under atmospheric pressure orgreater, D a hub mounted on said bearing and. rotatable about same, afilter-tank carried by said hub, a plurality of air-tight partitionsdividing the lower part of said tank into a plurality ofcomparttheretbrough, each adapted to communicate with saidvacuum-chamber, and said pressure-' chamber, successively and saidcompartments having respectively openings therein registering with saidpassages, and means rotating said tank and said hub.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acentral bearing having a vacuum-chamber and a pressurechamber therein,as pring-pressed val ve-block whereby the vacuum-compartments areautomatically connected with said pressure-chamber, means whereby saidvacuum -chamber may be connected with a vacuum-pump, means whereby saidpressure-chamber may be connected with air under atmospheric pressure orgreater, a hub mounted on said bearing and rotatable about same, afiltertank carried by said hub, a plurality of airtight partitionsdividing the lower part of said'tank into a plurality of compartments, afilter-body closing said compartments, said hub having a plurality ofpassages there-- mospheric pressure, or greater, a hub mounted on saidbearing and rotatable about same, a filter-tank carried by said hub, aplurality of fair-tight partitions dividing the lower part of said tankinto a plurality of compartments, a

BEST AVAILABLE COP 5 filterbody closing said compartments, said hubhaving a plurality of passages therethrough, each adapted to communicatewith said vacuum-chamber, and said pressurechamber, successively, andsaid compartments respectively having openings therein registering withsaid passages, a closure whereby said compartments are successively cut0d from both said vacuum and said pressure chambers during a part ofthecharging interval, and means rotating said tank and said hub.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of arotary filterbody, means creating a vacuum under successive sections ofsaid body, means cutting ofi the vacuum and admitting air to saidsections successively, and a launder or supply-pipe projected over andextended radially of said filter-body, whereby slimes will be dischargedon said section ata point beyond that at which said last-mentioned meansis situated.

14. In an apparatus of the character de- -scribed,-the combination of arotary filterbody, means creating a vacuum under successive sections ofsaid body, means cutting ofl the vacuum and admitting air to saidsections successively, a launder or supply-pipe project-ed over andextended radially of said filter-body, wherebyslimes will be dischargedon said section at a point beyond that at which said last-mentionedmeans is situated, and a screen between said launder and saidlastmentioned means.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature, this 8th day ofApril, 1905, in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD PARRISH.

Witnesses:

N. L. FROTHINGHAM, J. C. SHAY.

